Gibson Hummingbird
Encyclopedia
The Gibson Hummingbird is an acoustic guitar
model/series produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation
.
Unlike the other flat-top Gibson acoustics, the Hummingbird was Gibson's first square-shoulder dreadnought
, similar to the dreadnoughts produced by C.F. Martin & Company. Introduced in 1960, the Hummingbird was Gibson's second-most expensive acoustic guitar, behind the Gibson J-200
, until the introduction of the Gibson Dove
in 1962, (a blend between the Hummingbird and the J-200.) The Hummingbird, features a Mahogany
back and sides, a decorative pickguard with a hummingbird
design, and split-parallelogram Mother of Pearl fretboard and headstock inlays, Spruce
top and Rosewood
bridge. The Gibson Hummingbird was winner of Acoustic Guitar's
Player's Choice Award for the Dreadnought Category in 2000, and was described thus: "The Hummingbird has a very wide range of sound, from gutsy and loud, to sweet and soft. Superb for all styles of playing, whether just chording or playing intricate solos."
top and solid Mahogany
back. The sides are Mahogany but not all of them are solid, many are laminated. They have adjustable saddles, 3-ply maple
bridge plates, single X-bracing
, engraved hummingbird pickguard
s with 2 points on upper treble bout and 1 point level with bridge, as well as bound fretboards with double parallelogram
inlays, crown peghead inlay on headstock
s, gold tuners, and cherryburst (a.k.a cherry sunburst) finish.
Some Hummingbirds produced in 1962 and 1963 have maple
back and sides. Natural top with cherry back and sides finish was available in 1963. Also since then, the size of the pickguard has been slightly reduced.
Some Hummingbirds produced in 1965 had their sides around the neck and at the end pin painted black to hide where Gibson over-sanded the body, and sanded through the top layer of the mahogany laminated sides.
In 1968, the bottom belly bridge became more squarish. Some hummingbirds with tobacco sunburst finish were produced. Some have pickguards attached with screws.
The bracing was changed to be large and bulky in 1969, after that, a double X-bracing was applied since 1971.
Since 1970, the saddles were not adjustable any more. The necks are made by laminated 3 piece mahogany.
The fretboard inlays were changed to block ones. It was restored to double parallelogram in 1984.
). It does not have a hummingbird pickguard (modern sculpted pickguard instead). An L.R.Baggs Element Active pickup system is also installed. Appeared in washed heritage cherry finish.
and mother of pearl. It also has ebony
fretboard with rolled edges and Orpheum-style abalone inlays. Appeared in antique natural finish.
, who is also a notable Gibson user. It has natural finish and a special pickguard, nickel Gotoh white oval button tuners and other features almost all the same as the Modern Classic model.
In 1962, the natural top finished Southern Jumbo is named "SJN Country Western", which is also the predecessor of the Sheryl Crow model, according to the Gibson official website. This also implicates that the square-shoulder Southern Jumbo/Country Western is a variation of the Hummingbird.
This model is discontinued in 1977, while the round-shoulder version is reintroduced in 1991, which is still available today.
In 2010, Gibson introduced the Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1960 Hummingbird series, including the standard (Heritage Dark Cherry Sunburst), the Rosewood (Heritage Dark Cherry Sunburst) and the KOA (Gold Honey Burst) models.
branch of Gibson. It is available in natural, cherryburst and black. It is also made with cheaper woods, but features the same design fretboard inlays, bridge and similar pickguard, but features no real mother of pearl. It also features Grover tuners, rather than the unbranded tuners featured on cheaper Epiphone models.
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
model/series produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
.
Unlike the other flat-top Gibson acoustics, the Hummingbird was Gibson's first square-shoulder dreadnought
Dreadnought (guitar type)
Dreadnought is a type of acoustic guitar body developed by guitar manufacturers C.F. Martin & Company. The Dreadnought style has since been copied by other guitar manufacturers and is now a common style of guitar body...
, similar to the dreadnoughts produced by C.F. Martin & Company. Introduced in 1960, the Hummingbird was Gibson's second-most expensive acoustic guitar, behind the Gibson J-200
Gibson J-200
Gibson J-200 is an acoustic guitar model produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.Gibson entered into production of this model in 1938 as its top-of-the-line flat top guitar, initially called the Super Jumbo, changing the name in 1939 to the Super Jumbo 200. It was made at the Gibson Factory in...
, until the introduction of the Gibson Dove
Gibson Dove
The Gibson Dove is a flattop Steel-string acoustic guitar made by Gibson Guitar Corporation. First made in 1962 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, it was Gibson's second square-shouldered dreadnought , after the introduction of the Gibson Hummingbird in 1962. Both guitars have solid spruce tops and engraved...
in 1962, (a blend between the Hummingbird and the J-200.) The Hummingbird, features a Mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
back and sides, a decorative pickguard with a hummingbird
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings...
design, and split-parallelogram Mother of Pearl fretboard and headstock inlays, Spruce
Spruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea , a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical...
top and Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining, but found in many different hues. All rosewoods are strong and heavy, taking an excellent polish, being suitable for guitars, marimbas, turnery , handles, furniture, luxury flooring, etc.In general,...
bridge. The Gibson Hummingbird was winner of Acoustic Guitar's
Acoustic Guitar (magazine)
Acoustic Guitar is a monthly magazine published in the United States since July/August 1990 by String Letter Publishing. The magazine offers information related to acoustic guitars for players of all levels from beginners to teachers. Each issue includes a half dozen or so songs with notation and...
Player's Choice Award for the Dreadnought Category in 2000, and was described thus: "The Hummingbird has a very wide range of sound, from gutsy and loud, to sweet and soft. Superb for all styles of playing, whether just chording or playing intricate solos."
Vintage models
The Hummingbird model was introduced in 1960 with a solid Sitka SpruceSitka Spruce
Picea sitchensis, the Sitka Spruce, is a large coniferous evergreen tree growing to 50–70 m tall, exceptionally to 95 m tall, and with a trunk diameter of up to 5 m, exceptionally to 6–7 m diameter...
top and solid Mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
back. The sides are Mahogany but not all of them are solid, many are laminated. They have adjustable saddles, 3-ply maple
Maple
Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
bridge plates, single X-bracing
Guitar bracing
Guitar bracing refers to the system of wooden struts which support and reinforce the soundboard and back of the instrument.Soundboard or top bracing transmits the forces exerted by the strings from the bridge to the rim...
, engraved hummingbird pickguard
Pickguard
A pickguard is a piece of plastic or other laminated material that is placed under the strings on the body of a guitar, mandolin or similar plucked string instrument...
s with 2 points on upper treble bout and 1 point level with bridge, as well as bound fretboards with double parallelogram
Parallelogram
In Euclidean geometry, a parallelogram is a convex quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides. The opposite or facing sides of a parallelogram are of equal length and the opposite angles of a parallelogram are of equal measure...
inlays, crown peghead inlay on headstock
Headstock
Headstock or peghead is a part of guitar or similar stringed instrument. The main function of a headstock is holding the instrument's strings. Strings go from the bridge past the nut and are usually fixed on machine heads on headstock...
s, gold tuners, and cherryburst (a.k.a cherry sunburst) finish.
Some Hummingbirds produced in 1962 and 1963 have maple
Maple
Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
back and sides. Natural top with cherry back and sides finish was available in 1963. Also since then, the size of the pickguard has been slightly reduced.
Some Hummingbirds produced in 1965 had their sides around the neck and at the end pin painted black to hide where Gibson over-sanded the body, and sanded through the top layer of the mahogany laminated sides.
In 1968, the bottom belly bridge became more squarish. Some hummingbirds with tobacco sunburst finish were produced. Some have pickguards attached with screws.
The bracing was changed to be large and bulky in 1969, after that, a double X-bracing was applied since 1971.
Since 1970, the saddles were not adjustable any more. The necks are made by laminated 3 piece mahogany.
The fretboard inlays were changed to block ones. It was restored to double parallelogram in 1984.
Modern Classic model
The Hummingbird Modern Classic model is an electric-acoustic model. It has AAA-grade solid Sitka spruce top, while the back and sides are constructed from mahogany, as well as rosewood fretboard with double parallelogram inlays, crown peghead inlay headstock, nickel Grover rotomatic tuners and custom-made hummingbird tortoise-shell pickguard. An L.R.Baggs Element Active pickup system is also installed. Appeared in cherryburst, heritage cherryburst and natural finishes.True Vintage model
The True Vintage model features vintage appearance and sound. It has gold Gotoh green button tuners and vintage cherryburst finish, which make the guitar look like a 1960 one. It has no electronics.Icon 60's model
The Icon 60's Hummingbird is a natural finished model with block inlays in the fretboard rather than then the double parallelogram ones. It also has adjustable saddle and an original 60's style hummingbird pickguard, all of these made it look like a 60's vintage model.Artist model
The Hummingbird Artist model is quite different, it is a Guitar Center exclusive release, with a shape between a square-shoulder dreadnought (e.g. Hummingbird Modern Classic) and a round-shoulder dreadnought (e.g. J-45Gibson J-45
The Gibson J-45 is an acoustic guitar model manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. It is part of Gibson's round-shoulder, dreadnought acoustic "jumbo" line, begun in 1934 with the Gibson Jumbo Flattop which was to compete with C.F. Martin & Company's "D" line.The J-45 is generally regarded...
). It does not have a hummingbird pickguard (modern sculpted pickguard instead). An L.R.Baggs Element Active pickup system is also installed. Appeared in washed heritage cherry finish.
Pro model
The Hummingbird Pro model is also an exclusive release for the Guitar Center, which has the same shape as the Artist model. A cutaway model (Hummingbird Pro EC) is also available. The Hummingbird Pro comes with a L.R. Baggs Element Active pickup system, while the cutaway model has a Fishman Prefix Plus-T preamp system equipped. Appeared in vintage sunburst finish.Custom KOA model
The Hummingbird Custom KOA model is a custom model, with back and sides constructed from highly figured koa wood. It has gold Grover mother of pearl keystone tuners, custom in-flight hummingbirds peghead logo and hummingbird floral tortoise-shell pickguard, all expressed in genuine abaloneAbalone
Abalone , from aulón, are small to very large-sized edible sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Haliotidae and the genus Haliotis...
and mother of pearl. It also has ebony
Ebony
Ebony is a dense black wood, most commonly yielded by several species in the genus Diospyros, but ebony may also refer to other heavy, black woods from unrelated species. Ebony is dense enough to sink in water. Its fine texture, and very smooth finish when polished, make it valuable as an...
fretboard with rolled edges and Orpheum-style abalone inlays. Appeared in antique natural finish.
Sheryl Crow model
The Hummingbird Sheryl Crow model is a signature model designed for the American singer Sheryl CrowSheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
, who is also a notable Gibson user. It has natural finish and a special pickguard, nickel Gotoh white oval button tuners and other features almost all the same as the Modern Classic model.
Southern Jumbo/Country Western (square-shoulder dreadnought)
The Southern Jumbo model is firstly introduced in 1942 as a round-shoulder dreadnought. In 1963, Gibson changed the design and made it a square-shoulder one. This mahogany-back-and-side guitar has mostly the same specification compared to the Hummingbird, so we categorize it as a Hummingbird variation.In 1962, the natural top finished Southern Jumbo is named "SJN Country Western", which is also the predecessor of the Sheryl Crow model, according to the Gibson official website. This also implicates that the square-shoulder Southern Jumbo/Country Western is a variation of the Hummingbird.
This model is discontinued in 1977, while the round-shoulder version is reintroduced in 1991, which is still available today.
Other special models
The Gibson custom shop also produces several special or limited models, such as the silverburst special edition which has a silverburst finish, the Hummingbird Quilted model with quilted mahogany back and sides. Most of them are basically based on the Modern Classic model. In 2008 Gibson also released a very few Hummingbird Modern Classics with a Vintage Sunburst finish, the finish as seen on a J-45 Standard. On the Gibson-label on the inside of this Hummingbird it says "Hummingbird, Fuller's Vintage Edition". All the other specifications, such as materials and tuning keys, are the same as the specifications of the standard model.In 2010, Gibson introduced the Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 1960 Hummingbird series, including the standard (Heritage Dark Cherry Sunburst), the Rosewood (Heritage Dark Cherry Sunburst) and the KOA (Gold Honey Burst) models.
Epiphone version
A cheaper version of the Hummingbird is also made by the EpiphoneEpiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
branch of Gibson. It is available in natural, cherryburst and black. It is also made with cheaper woods, but features the same design fretboard inlays, bridge and similar pickguard, but features no real mother of pearl. It also features Grover tuners, rather than the unbranded tuners featured on cheaper Epiphone models.
External links
- Hummingbird (Modern Classic model) on Gibson official website
- Hummingbird True Vintage model on Gibson official website
- Hummingbird Custom KOA model on Gibson official website
- Hummingbird Pro model on Gibson official website
- Sheryl Crow model on Gibson official website
- The Limited Editions 50th Anniversary Hummingbirds on Gibson official website